Three models, two photographers

This photograph related to the Bruno Benini archive was taken by Gerd Rosskamp in 1957, at the time he was sharing a studio with Benini, seen at the piano. The photograph is one of a series of three that form a narrative set in a nightclub. The first image, in which Wendy Martin and Bruno Benini meet in the club, was posted on Photo of the Day on Thursday of last week.

According to the collection records, Bruno Benini shared a studio with Gerd Rosskamp at the time this photograph was taken. Rosskamp helped Benini develop his photographic skills and in exchange the very elegant Benini appeared in many of Rosskamp’s fashion and advertising shots. Benini also modelled for some ofMelbourne’s other top photographers, including Helmut Newton, Henry Talbot and Athol Shmith.

The photograph shows Wendy Martin and Bruno Benini at the piano and Janice Wakely on the right coolly observing the couple and holding a pair of maracas. Benini is not the only model/photographer in this photograph. Around the time that this photograph was taken Janice Wakely took up photography herself, starting by photographing fashion photographers at work. As a photographer she later shared a studio with Benini at 6 McKillop Street, Melbourne from 1963 to 1966. The museum also holds the Janice Wakely archive. Janice has previously appeared on Photo of the Day in both model and photographer modes.

German-born fashion photographer Gerhard (Gerd) Rosskamp (1928-2007) was also a contemporary of Henry Talbot and Bruno Benini. He worked in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1970s, and Berlin during the 1960s and again from 1986 till his death in 2007.

About Photo of the Day

The Powerhouse Museum's Photo of the Day blog features a new image each day, chosen from the Powerhouse Photo Library.

The majority of these images have been taken by Museum photographers for a variety of purposes such as for exhibitions, of objects in our collection, events, behind-the-scenes and location shots. We also feature many images taken by our Flickr community and from our visitors. We hope you enjoy the photographs and stories.